System and method for performing lottery ticket transactions utilizing point-of-sale terminals

ABSTRACT

In accordance with some embodiments, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatus are provided for receiving a request for a lottery ticket, the request including a purchase amount that is less than a price of a full lottery ticket. A fractional amount of the full lottery ticket is calculated, the fractional amount being based on the purchase amount and the price of the full lottery ticket. An indication of the fractional amount and an indication of the full lottery ticket is stored.

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/058,653, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING LOTTERYTICKET TRANSACTIONS UTILIZING POINT-OF-SALE TERMINALS”, filed Feb. 15,2005;

which is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/424,362entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING LOTTERY TICKET TRANSACTIONSUTILIZING POINT-OF-SALE TERMINALS”, filed Apr. 25, 2003 and issued asU.S. Pat. No. 6,887,153 on May 3, 2005;

which is a continuation of commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser.No. 09/836,409, filed Apr. 16, 2001, which issued as U.S Pat. No.6,582,304 B2 on Jun. 24, 2003;

which is a continuation of commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser.No. 08/822,709, filed Mar. 21, 1997, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.6,267,670 B1 on Jul. 31, 2001.

Each of the above-referenced applications is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/425,211filed on Jun. 20, 2006 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/425,232filed on Jun. 20, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a lottery ticket transaction system. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a system and a method forselling lottery tickets using point-of-sale (“POS”) terminals thatgenerate sales receipts containing both merchandise sales informationand lottery ticket information.

Many states in the United States, as well as some foreign countries,have government-conducted lottery systems. Government-conductedlotteries offer the public a desirable product (usually the chance towin a large cash prize), and have the benefit of increasing governmentalrevenues without burdening the public with additional or increasedtaxes. In many instances, the revenue generated from a governmentallottery is dedicated to a particular purpose or goal, such as improvingthe education system or reducing property taxes

In a typical government-conducted lottery system, a central lotterycomputer is used to communicate with dedicated lottery terminals. Aplayer selects numbers on a lottery playslip, and the lottery terminaloperator inserts the lottery playslip into a reader at the lotteryterminal, which optically reads the lottery playslip using a knownmark-sense process. The dedicated lottery terminal then communicates theplayer's selected numbers to a central lottery computer which in turnstores them. After the lottery numbers have been stored, the dedicatedlottery terminal, under the control of the central lottery computer,prints and issues the lottery ticket.

One popular lottery game, known as “lotto,” typically requires theplayer to choose six numbers from one to forty-two. The selected groupof numbers are then compared to the winning lottery numbers, which havebeen randomly selected from the larger pool of numbers, from one toforty-two, at some specified time and date after purchase of the lottoticket, usually once or twice each week. To win a prize, the lottoticket numbers must be equal to all or some of the winning lotterynumbers.

While players may select their own lottery numbers, most lotto gamesprovide the option of having the central lottery computer system selectrandom “quick-pick” lottery numbers instead. This saves the purchaserthe time and inconvenience of picking his or her own numbers. Theseautomatic lottery number generation systems are usually known as“quick-pick” systems.

A variety of games may be played in a typical lottery. In conventionallottery games, a player purchases a lottery ticket. Inscribed on thatlottery ticket are one or more lottery numbers and a serial number. Theserial number functions as a simple method of fraud prevention, becauseit uniquely identifies each lottery ticket sold. The lottery number alsoallows both the player and the lottery system to identify a winner;specifically, the lottery numbers are compared by the player to a“winning number list”, to determine if the player has won a prize.

There are also instant lottery games in which the outcome is determinedprior to the sale of the lottery ticket. By uncovering concealed indiciainscribed on the lottery ticket, the player can determine if the lotteryticket is a winner—immediately after purchase.

Some foreign countries (e.g. Germany) allow a lottery player to purchasefractional lottery tickets. However, these lottery systems only allowthe player to purchase fixed fractions of certain high-priced lotterytickets (e.g., a half, or quarter share of a lottery ticket). In theseinstances, if the lottery ticket is a winner, the purchaser will onlyreceive one-half or one-quarter of the full prize amount.

The majority of lottery tickets are sold by grocery, liquor andconvenience stores. These retail stores typically place the dedicatedlottery terminal away from one or more POS terminals used formerchandise transactions. This physical separation is to ensure that themerchandise transaction line is not slowed-down or blocked by customerswishing to make lottery ticket purchases. In addition, since the lotteryterminals have a separate and distinct accounting system, there is noneed to co-locate the POS terminals and dedicated lottery terminals.

However, some customers may consider it annoying to make two separatetransactions, i.e., merchandise and lottery tickets, on two differentterminals within the same store. Separate terminals may also force thecustomers to wait in two separate lines, or may slow down the overallmerchandise check-out procedure while a single store clerk performs twoseparate transactions on two terminals. Besides annoying themerchandise-only customers, these inconveniences also reduce the impulsepurchasing of lottery tickets, which in turn leads to loss of revenuefor the government and the store.

There are other disadvantages with using two separate and distinctterminals for merchandise transactions and lottery ticket transactions.The government usually bears the costs of purchasing, leasing,installing and maintaining the dedicated lottery terminals. There arealso the considerable costs of resupplying the lottery ticket paper andink for each dedicated lottery terminal. Moreover, many retail storeswith multiple checkout lines and registers, such as supermarkets, do nothave the resources to support dedicated lottery terminals at everycheck-out register. In addition, a dedicated lottery terminal usescounter space that could otherwise be devoted to revenue-producingmerchandise displays. It is also costly to train store personnel in theoperation of two distinct types of transaction terminals. These factorsreduce the availability of lottery tickets to consumers, and thus reducegovernmental revenue, by limiting the number of locations that selllottery tickets.

After many years of steadily increasing profits, many state-runlotteries have seen a downturn in profits Improving the ease ofpurchasing lottery tickets and increasing their availability has becomea primary concern as many states are modernizing their lottery systems.The current lottery system does not allow for the sale of fractionalvalue lottery tickets at retail point of sale terminals. There is asignificant loss of revenue from this lost opportunity to buy fractionalvalue lottery tickets. Accordingly, there is a need for a system thatsolves the above described problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the foregoing problems by providing asystem and a method for performing integrated lottery ticket andmerchandise transactions. The system and method utilizes POS terminalsthat generate a single sales receipt containing all lottery ticket andmerchandise information.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, each POSterminal is connected to a POS controller, which in turn is adapted tocommunicate with a lottery data processing system. The POS terminal isdesigned to perform lottery transactions in addition to merchandisetransactions. Accordingly, during the course of purchasing merchandise,the buyer can also request the purchase of a lottery ticket. The POSterminal operator thereupon actuates a pre-programmed key or other codedinput on the POS terminal, which causes the terminal to transmit alottery ticket request to the POS controller. The controller transmitsthis request to the lottery data processing system, which carries outthe lottery transaction. The lottery data processing system thentransmits lottery ticket information back to the POS terminal. The POSterminal completes the transaction by printing out a single salesreceipt containing both lottery ticket information and informationconcerning the merchandise being purchased.

The present invention advantageously eliminates the need for a separatelottery ticket system and terminal which in turn eliminates the addedcosts of the check-out counter space associated therewith. This providesthe lottery ticket purchaser with a convenient and efficient means ofbuying lottery tickets while making non-lottery ticket purchases at thePOS terminal. The present invention also advantageously provides theconsumer greater access to lottery tickets by increasing the number oflocations capable of selling lottery tickets.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, lotteryplayers may purchase fractional lottery tickets at the POS terminal. Anyfraction or percentage of a full lottery ticket can be requested by thecustomer (i.e. one to ninety-nine percent). The customer is not limitedto any preset or fixed fractions. This is advantageous for customers whoare making other merchandise transactions and who do not wish to receivechange (coins totalling less than a dollar). Instead of receiving ahandful of change, the customer can request his change be used forpurchasing a fractional lottery ticket. In this embodiment, the lotteryplayer would only receive a fraction of a winning prize based on thefraction of the lottery ticket purchased.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, lotteryplayers may telephone the lottery data processing system via aninteractive voice response unit (IVRU) to verify the validity of thelottery ticket information. The player inputs to the IVRU via thetelephone keypad the encrypted authentication code printed on the salesreceipt, and this code is decrypted by the lottery data processingsystem and used to verify the lottery ticket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the POS controller of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the POS terminal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the lottery data processing system.

FIG. 5 is a table depicting the local lottery ticket database within thePOS controller of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a table depicting the lottery ticket database within thelottery data processing system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a table depicting the POS controller database within thelottery data processing system of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart depicting the lottery transaction at the POSterminal.

FIG. 9 is an example of a store sales receipt in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the operation of the POS controller.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the operation of the lottery data processingsystem.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart depicting the telephone authentication process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to a system for performing lotteryticket transactions at retail POS terminals without the customer havingto wait for two transaction receipts, or go to another check-outterminal to make other non-lottery ticket purchases. In about the sameamount of time it takes to ring up bread or milk at a POS terminal, thecustomer can also purchase a “quick-pick” lottery ticket. This one-stopshopping facilitates the sale of lottery tickets, and speeds thecustomer on his way. In addition, the present invention enables thecustomer to purchase fractional lottery tickets which even furtherfacilitates the sale of lottery tickets. In particular, in cases where acustomer makes other merchandise purchases, instead of receiving change,he can request a fractional lottery ticket (equal to the change amount).Accordingly, the present invention provides a consumer with a convenientand efficient system to purchase lottery tickets.

The term “quick-pick” refers to a lottery ticket in which the lotterynumbers are randomly generated for the customer by the lottery system.

A fractional lottery ticket is a lottery ticket in which the customerwill receive only a portion of the winning prize in accordance with thefractional portion paid for the ticket as compared to the full price ofa lottery ticket. For example, if a customer pays 58 cents for afractional lottery ticket where the full price of a lottery ticket is adollar, the customer would receive fifty-eight percent of the prizeamount if the ticket is a winner. As used herein, the term “lotterytickets”, or equivalents thereof includes fractional lottery tickets.

FIG. 1 shows an overall system block diagram of a preferred embodimentof the present invention. In this embodiment, a POS controller 20 islinked to at least one POS terminal 30 via a POS network 40. Four POSterminals 30 are depicted in FIG. 1, but any number of POS terminals 30can be used. The POS network 40 does not have to be a hard wirednetwork, it can include any of a wide variety of means suitable totransmit and receive data communications, as described below. A lotteryticket transaction can be initiated from any one of the POS terminals30. The information required to initiate a lottery ticket transaction ispassed between the POS terminal 30 and the POS controller 20 via the POSnetwork 40. It is understood that other types of information can also bepassed between the POS terminal 30 and the POS controller 20. Forexample, merchandise prices, coupon discounts, and sales eventinformation can also be passed between the POS terminal 30 and the POScontroller 20

As illustrated in FIG. 1., the POS controller 20 is also linked to alottery data processing system 60, discussed in detail below, via a datanetwork 50. The data network 50 can be any one or more of a variety ofnetworks capable of data communications. For example, the data network50 can be a public switched telephone network 76 (PSTN), an integratedservice digital network (ISDN), a packet switched network, a privatedata communication network, a wireless network or any other suitablenetwork.

The POS terminals 30 and the POS controller 20 depicted in FIG. 1 may beembodied in hardware specifically provided to implement the presentinvention. Alternatively, they may be implemented using existing cashregisters and central in-store servers. In particular, many retailstores have computerized cash registers which are coupled to an in-storetransaction processor to receive and transmit merchandise price andother merchandise information. The hardware of these systems may be usedfor the present invention. To incorporate the present invention changesto the existing in-store transaction processor or store network servermay be accomplished in various ways, such as reprogramming the existingin-store transaction processor or by adding an additional file server.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the POS controller 20. The POS controller20 includes a CPU 21 which performs the processing functions. POScontroller 20 also includes a read only memory 22 (ROM) and a randomaccess memory 23 (RAM). The ROM 22 is used to store at least some of theprogram instructions that are to be executed by the CPU 21, such asportions of the operating system or basic input-output system (BIOS),and the RAM 23 is used for temporary storage of data. A clock circuit 24provides a clock signal which is required by the CPU 21.

The POS controller 20 also includes a communication port 25 connected toa data network interface 71 and a POS network interface 72. Thecommunication port 25 enables the CPU 21 to communicate with devicesexternal to the POS controller 20. In particular, the communication port25 permits communication with the POS terminals 30 and also with thelottery data processing system 60. While a modem (not shown) and adedicated telephone line for establishing communication with the lotterydata processing system 60 is preferred, other data network interfaces,including an ISDN terminal to interface with an ISDN network, a radiocommunications interface, and an Internet interface, may be used aswell.

The CPU 21 can also store information to, and read information from, adata storage device 26. The data storage device 26 includes a locallottery ticket database 26 a and other databases including a local salesdatabase 26 b that a store may conventionally maintain. The locallottery ticket database 26 a is described below. In addition, the datastorage device 26 includes instructions which can be read by andexecuted by the CPU 21, thereby enabling the CPU 21 to processtransactions. While FIG. 2 depicts separate databases, a single databasethat incorporates both functions can also be used. Additional databasesmay be added as needed to store a variety of other information that maybe required for other purposes.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial representation depicting the preferred layout andthe information stored in the local lottery ticket database 26 a. Thelocal lottery ticket database 26 a includes a date field F1, a salesreceipt number field F2, a number of tickets purchased field F3, a saleamount field F4, and a lottery ticket number field F5. In the case of afractional lottery ticket, the sale amount field F4 would contain thefractional amount of the lottery ticket purchased by the customer (e.g.,sixty-eight cents)

While only three records R1 for three lottery ticket transactions aredepicted in FIG. 5, any number of records may be stored. To conservestorage space on the data storage device 26, records may be transferredto a different storage device or deleted after some predetermined timeinterval or after a predetermined event (e.g. after the winning lotterynumber drawing).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the preferred POS terminal 30, which can belocated at a supermarket, grocery store, liquor store or any otherlocation where consumer transactions are performed. As previouslydiscussed above, there can be any number of POS terminals 30 linked toone POS controller 20. The POS terminal 30 includes a CPU 31, ROM 32,RAM 33, clock circuit 34, communication port 35 and a data storagedevice 36. The communication port 35 interfaces with the POS network 40which facilitates communication between the POS terminal 30 and the POScontroller 20.

The POS terminal 30 includes an input device 37 to receive input from anoperator. Any one of a variety of input devices would be suitable forthis purpose, including, for example, depression-actuated buttons, keys,membranes, a mouse, touchscreens, bar code scanners, and the like. Theinput device 37 may interface directly with the CPU 31, as shown in FIG.3. Alternatively an appropriate interface circuit may be placed betweenthe CPU 31 and the input device 37.

The POS terminal 30 also includes a display device 38 for conveyinginformation to the operator, customer or both. Any one or a variety ofdisplay devices would be suitable for this purpose, including, forexample a CRT, LCD, LED or thin film transistor panel.

The POS terminal 30 also includes a data storage device 36, in whichtransaction processor instructions are stored. These instructions can beread by and executed by the CPU 31, enabling the POS terminal 30 toprocess a variety of transaction types. By way of example, thesetransaction types may include “quick-pick” lottery tickets, lotterytickets other than “quick-pick” tickets and merchandise transactions.

The POS terminal 30 further includes a printer 39 for recording thetransaction performed by the POS terminal 30. The printer 39 mayinterface directly with the CPU 31, as shown in FIG. 3. Alternatively,an appropriate interface circuit may be placed between the CPU 31 andthe printer 39.

It will also be understood that other combinations of POS controllers 20and POS terminals 30 could be employed, depending upon the requirementsof a particular establishment. In particular, the POS terminal 30 mayincorporate some of features of the POS controller 20 so that theintegrated POS terminal/controller can function as a stand-alone unit.This type of terminal would be advantageous for establishments that onlyrequire a single POS terminal.

Shown in FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the lottery data processing system60. Like the POS controller 20 described above, the lottery dataprocessing system 60 includes a CPU 61, ROM 62, RAM 63, a clock circuit64, and a communication port 65. The communication port 65 is connectedto the data network interface 71. The data network interface 71 depictedis equivalent to the data network interface in FIG. 2. One POScontroller 20 is depicted in FIG. 1, but any number of POS controllers20 can be linked to the lottery data processing system 60 via the datanetwork 50 and the data network interface 71.

As shown in FIG. 4, the communication port 65 is also connected to anIVRU interface 74. A customer assistance IVRU 75, as shown in FIG. 1, islinked to the lottery data processing system 60 via the IVRU interface74. The customer assistance IVRU 75 is also connected to the PSTN 76,the public switched telephone network. The customer assistance IVRU 75allows a caller (not shown) to communicate with the lottery dataprocessing system 60 using a telephone (not shown). Voice commandprompts guide the caller through various menu options allowing thecaller to input and extract data related to a particular lottery tickettransaction. This process is described in greater detail below.

The CPU 61 can also store information to, and read information from thedata storage device 68. The data storage device 68 includes a lotteryticket database 68 a, a POS controller database 68 b, and a winninglottery ticket number database 68 c which are described below. Inaddition, the data storage device 68 includes instructions which can beread by and executed by the CPU 61, thereby enabling the CPU 61 toprocess lottery transactions. While FIG. 4 depicts separate databases, asingle database that incorporates all the functions of databases 68 a,68 b and 68 c can also be used. Additional databases may be added asneeded to store a variety of other information that may be useful inmaintaining and administrating a lottery system.

The lottery data processing system 60 also includes a random numbergenerator 66 and a cryptographic processor 67. When requested by the CPU61, the random number generator 66 generates the random “quick-pick”numbers used for “quick-pick” lottery ticket transactions. Thecryptographic processor 67 is used to encrypt an authentication codegenerated by the CPU 61, described in greater detail below. Thisencrypted authentication code is passed to the CPU 61 which associatesit with a particular lottery transaction. The cryptographic processor 67is also used to decrypt encrypted authentication codes which are passedto it by the CPU 61.

While the illustrated embodiment depicts the random number generator 66and the cryptographic processor 67 as separate elements within thelottery data processing system 60, it should be understood that othermethods of performing their functions may be used. For example, thesefunctions may be implemented in a computer program stored in the datastorage device 68 and executed by the CPU 61.

FIG. 6 is a pictorial representation of the information stored in thelottery ticket database 68 a. The lottery ticket database 68 a includesa POS controller ID number field F6, a date field F7, a number oftickets purchased field F8, a sales receipt number field F9, a saleamount field F10, a lottery ticket numbers field F11, and acryptographic code field F12. In the case of a fractional lotteryticket, the sale amount field F10 would contain the fractional amount ofthe lottery ticket purchased by the customer (e.g., sixty-eight cents).The POS controller ID number field F6 is a unique code corresponding toeach POS controller 20 that communicates with the lottery dataprocessing system 60. The sales receipt number field F9 stores a serialnumber related to each receipt generated by the POS terminals 30. Thecryptographic code field F12 stores the encrypted authentication code,as discussed in detail below.

While record R2 for one POS controller with ID number 23456 is depictedin FIG. 6, any number of records may be stored. As is also the case withthe data storage device 26, from time to time records may be transferredto a different storage device or deleted to conserve storage spacewithin the data storage device 68. The winning lottery ticket numberdatabase 68 c is of the other databases that the lottery data processingsystem conventionally maintains.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial representation depicting the information stored inthe POS controller database 68 b. The POS controller database 68 bincludes a POS controller ID number field F13, a POS controller namefield F14, a POS controller location field F15, and a telephone numberfield F16. The POS controller name field F14 stores the name of thestore or establishment where the POS controller 20 is located. The POScontroller location field F15 stores the address of where the POScontroller 20 is located. The telephone number field F16 stores thetelephone number associated with each POS controller 20. A record R3 forone POS controller location is depicted in FIG. 7, but any number ofrecords may be stored

It should be understood that some fields within the databases discussedabove would contain the same corresponding information (e.g. POScontroller ID number field F6 in the lottery ticket database 68Acorresponds to field F13 in the POS controller database 68B).

FIG. 8 is a flow chart depicting an exemplary lottery ticket transactionprocess performed at the POS terminal 30 from the customer's point ofview. The process starts when a customer indicates to the POS terminaloperator that he or she wishes to purchase one or more “quick-pick”lottery tickets in step S1 of course, the “quick-pick” lottery ticketscan be either full or fractional lottery tickets. The customer may makethis decision to buy lottery tickets as a stand-alone transaction orwhile purchasing other merchandise, such as milk or bread. In step S2,the POS terminal operator initiates a lottery transaction by actuating apre-programmed designation on the input device 37 associated with thePOS terminal 30. The customer is then prompted by the POS operator forthe number of “quick-pick” lottery tickets desired in step S3.

The number of “quick-pick” lottery tickets may also include fractionallottery tickets. This is convenient for customers who do not want toreceive a handful of coins as change from a transaction. For example, acustomer due sixty-eight cents in change, from a merchandise purchasecould elect to buy a lottery ticket for sixty-eight cents which is worth68% of a $1 ticket and which pays-out sixty-eight percent of the $1payout. Alternatively, the customer could buy a 34% value of a $2 ticketwith 68 cents. Along with the fractional value lottery tickets, thecustomer may or course purchase full value lottery tickets.

In an alternative embodiment, the customer may also be prompted foradditional lottery ticket information, such as the type of lottery gameto be played and the particular lottery numbers selected by thecustomer. For example, a particular lottery system may offer lotterygames based on three, four and six number combinations. The customer mayalso personally select the lottery numbers to be played.

In step S4, the POS terminal operator enters the number of lotterytickets requested by the customer into the POS terminal 30 via the inputdevice 37. The customer pays for the lottery tickets and any otherpurchases made at this time in step S5. In step S6, the POS terminalprints a single receipt containing the lottery ticket information andany other merchandise sales information.

Shown in FIG. 9 is an example of a store sales receipt 80 according tothe one embodiment of the present invention. The store sales receipt 80includes non-lottery ticket related merchandise information 81. Thebottom portion contains lottery ticket information including a pluralityof lottery numbers 82, a store ID number 83, a receipt number 84, a date85, a time 86, a price 89, a lottery telephone number 87, and anencrypted authentication code 88. In the case of a fractional lotteryticket, the store sales receipt 80 would also include an indication ofthe fraction of the full price lottery ticket purchased (e.g., as shownin FIG. 9, $0.68 was paid for ticket 4).

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an exemplary operation of the POS controller20. The steps of the process shown in FIG. 10 may be implemented in acomputer program that may be installed at the POS controller 20 from acomputer readable medium and then stored therein in one or more of theROM 22, the RAM 23 and the data storage device 26 (shown in FIG. 2). ThePOS controller 20 receives in step S7 a lottery ticket transactionrequest which includes, in this example, the number of “quick-pick”lottery tickets requested by the customer from the POS terminal 30. ThePOS controller 20 temporarily stores this information in RAM 23, whileit establishes a real-time communication link with the lottery dataprocessing system 60 via the data network 50.

While one lottery data processing system 60 is depicted in FIG. 1,additional lottery data processing systems may be available as secondaryor back-up lottery data processing systems. Accordingly, if the POScontroller 20 fails to establish communication with the primary lotterydata processing system, communication attempts would be made to asecondary lottery data processing system.

Once the real-time communication link is established, the POS controller20 in step S8 transmits the number of “quick-pick” lottery ticketsrequested to the lottery data processing system 60. The POS controller20 also transmits its POS controller identification number (e.g. F1 inFIG. 7). In step S9, the POS controller 20 receives one or more groupsof lottery numbers (corresponding to the number of lottery ticketsrequested) and an associated encrypted authentication code from thelottery data processing system 60. A new record (e.g. R1 in FIG. 5) iscreated in the local lottery ticket database (26 a in FIG. 2) in stepS10. In step S11, the POS controller 20 stores in the newly createdrecord the date, receipt number, time, and lottery numbers received fromthe lottery data processing system (as shown in FIG. 5, F1-F5). The POScontroller 20 then transmits the lottery ticket information (i.e. thelottery numbers and the encrypted authentication code) to the POSterminal 30 that initiated the lottery transaction request in step S12.

Each of the steps S7-S12 described above is executed by the CPU 21 whichis executing computer program instructions stored in the data storagedevice 26. The communication with the POS terminal 30 takes place viathe communication port 25 and the POS network interface 72. Thecommunication with the lottery data processing system 60 takes place viathe communication port 25 and the data network interface 71.

In an alternative embodiment, the POS controller 20 may also handlenon-“quick-pick” lottery ticket transactions. Customer-selected lotterynumbers would be received from the customer via mark-sense slips orcoded chits at the POS terminal 30 and sent to the lottery dataprocessing system 60 for processing, as described below.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the operation of the lottery data processingsystem 60. The steps of this process may be stored on a computerreadable medium which in this case would be the data storage device 68(shown in FIG. 4). Upon receiving the lottery ticket transaction requestand the POS controller identification number from the POS controller 20,the lottery data processing system 60 in step S13 accesses the POScontroller database 68 b (shown in FIGS. 4 and 7). The lottery dataprocessing system 60 searches the POS controller database 68 b andauthenticates the POS controller identification number, as shown in stepS14. In step S15, the lottery ticket database 68 a (shown in FIGS. 4 and6) is accessed and a new lottery transaction entry is added in theappropriate POS controller record (e.g. R2 in FIG. 6).

In step S16, the lottery data processing system 60 generates one or moregroups of random “quick-pick” lottery numbers using the random numbergenerator 66 (shown in FIG. 4). These random “quick-pick” lotterynumbers are used for the quick-pick lottery tickets. The lotterytransaction entry added in step S15 is then updated in step S16 bystoring these random “quick-pick” lottery numbers in the designatedfield of the record.

The lottery data processing system 60 also generates an authenticationcode based on the variables of the particular lottery transaction instep S17. This authentication code is a numeric string including all thedata of one record in the lottery ticket database 68 a. An example ofsuch a code corresponding to the first entry shown in FIG. 6, R2, is asfollows:

-   -   23456/011597004/3343004/011020112131

In this example, 23456 represents the POS controller ID number; 011597represents the date; 004 represents the number of tickets purchased;3343 represents the sales receipt number; 004 represents the salesamount; and 011020112131 represents the lottery ticket numbers.

While the use of an encrypted authentication code is the preferredembodiment, it should also be understood that the store sales receiptnumber along with the date for each transaction may be used instead. Inthis situation, the sales receipt number and the date would be used as apointer to the lottery ticket database 68 a. This pointer would be usedto extract and verify lottery ticket information as required.

In step S18, using the cryptographic processor 67 (shown in FIG. 4), theauthentication code is encrypted to produce a unique numeric code. Thelottery transaction entry added in step S15 is then updated again bystoring the encrypted authentication code in the appropriate field ofthe record (see FIG. 6). The use of cryptographic processors andencryption algorithms are well known to those skilled in the art ofcryptography. For reference, one of ordinary skill in the art may referto Bruce Schneier, Applied Cryptography, Protocols, Algorithms andSource Code Inc., (2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1996).

The lottery data processing system 60 then transmits the lottery ticketnumbers and the encrypted authentication code to the POS controller 20initiating the lottery ticket transaction in step S19.

This authentication code provides an added level of security andprotection for the purchase of the lottery ticket. Should the databasewithin the lottery data processing system 60 be corrupted, all theinformation printed on the store receipt lottery ticket can still beverified by any other device capable of decrypting the authenticationcode.

Each of the steps S13-S19 described above is executed by the CPU 61,which carries out these steps by executing computer program instructionsstored in the data storage device 68. The communication with the POScontroller 20 takes place via the communication port 65 and the datanetwork interface 71.

In an alternative embodiment, additional information may be transmittedfrom the POS controller 20 to the lottery data processing system 60.This could include, as described above, customer-selected lotterynumbers instead of the random “quick-pick” lottery numbers generated bythe lottery data processing system 60. In this situation, the lotterydata processing system 60 would store the customer-selected lotterynumbers in the lottery ticket database 68 a. An encrypted authenticationcode would be generated accordingly based on the customer-selectedlottery numbers. The lottery data processing system 60 would then sendthe encrypted authentication code and authorization to complete thelottery transaction to the POS controller 20

FIG. 12 is a flow chart depicting the telephone authentication process.The process starts when a customer dials the telephone number 87 printedon the sales receipt 80, as shown in FIG. 9, in step S20. By dialing thetelephone number 87, the customer is connected to the customerassistance IVRU 75, as shown in FIG. 1. This unit, via pre-recordedvoice messages, prompts the customer to enter the encryptedauthentication code 88 printed on the sales receipt 80 using the keys onthe telephone in step S21. In step S22, the customer assistance IVRU 75communicates this information to the lottery data processing system 60via the IVRU interface 74, shown in FIG. 4.

In step S23, the lottery data processing system 60 searches thecryptographic code field F12 in the lottery ticket database 68 a to findan entry that matches the information provided from the: IVRU 75. If nomatch is found, the lottery data processing system 60 communicates tothe IVRU 75 that the encrypted authentication code provided by thecustomer is not valid. The IVRU 75 then prompts the customer to re-enterthe encrypted authentication code. After a predetermined number offailed attempts to correctly enter a valid code, the call is terminated,as shown in step S24.

If a matching entry is found, the lottery data processing system 60decrypts the encrypted authentication code. The decrypted information isthen communicated to the customer assistance IVRU 75 in step S25. Basedon this information, the customer assistance IVRU 75 transmits a voicemessage to the customer providing all the decrypted information (i.e.lottery ticket number, time and date of purchase, etc.). The customerassistance IVRU 75 creates the voice message by combining pre-recordedvoice messages stored therein.

A winning lottery ticket may be redeemed at one of the POS terminals 30or at any conventional lottery terminal. To redeem the winning lotteryticket at one of the POS terminals 30, the POS terminal operatorinitiates a lottery ticket verification process by actuating apre-programmed input designator via input device 37 associated with thePOS terminal 30. The POS operator then enters the encryptedauthentication code printed on the lottery ticket into the POS terminal30 via the input device 37. This information is transmitted to thelottery data processing system 60 via the POS controller 20. The lotterydata processing system 60 decrypts this information and accesses thelottery ticket database 68 a and the winning lottery ticket numberdatabase 68 b. The lottery data processing system 60 then determineswhether the lottery ticket is a winning lottery ticket based on theinformation contained in the respective databases.

This determination (along with other information as needed) is thencommunicated back to the POS terminal 30 via the POS controller 20.Other types of information that may be included in this communicationare, for example, the winning prize amount, the fractional prize amount,and whether or not there was a jackpot winning ticket.

In an alternative embodiment, the random “quick-pick” lottery numbersused for a lottery ticket transaction may be generated by the POScontroller 20. These lottery numbers would then be transmitted to thelottery data processing system 60 as described above.

There are thus provided new and improved systems and methods for sellinglottery tickets at point-of-sale locations in stores. The invention usesthe same equipment provided for processing conventional store sales ofmerchandise and/or services to process lottery ticket sales.

The dual utility of the sales equipment makes the inventioncost-effective for merchants. The systems and methods provided permitspeedy and efficient purchasing of lottery tickets while making routinepurchases of other goods, thus encouraging impulse purchasing of lotterytickets without delaying the regular flow of the point-of-sale checkoutline. Further, the invention enables the quick and efficient sale offractional lottery tickets with what would otherwise be customer change,again encouraging impulse purchases, thereby increasing the market forlottery tickets.

The present invention further provides systems and methods whereby aneasy to print, easy to read, sales receipt is printed containing boththe sales of goods/services and lottery ticket information. The ticketincludes authenticating information, including at least oneauthenticating code and a customer service telephone number, which thecustomer can use to verify his lottery numbers with the lotteryauthority.

While the present invention has been described above in terms ofspecific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notintended to be confined or limited to the embodiments disclosed herein.On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover all methods,structures and modifications thereof included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

1. A system comprising: a lottery data processing system; a controllerincluding a storage device storing merchandise information, saidcontroller adapted to receive lottery information from said processingsystem; at least one point-of-sale terminal connected to saidcontroller, for performing merchandise transactions and lotterytransactions in accordance with the received lottery information, saidlottery transactions comprising calculating a fractional amount of afull lottery ticket, the fractional amount being based on an amount ofchange due to a customer for a merchandise transaction and the price ofthe full lottery ticket; and said point-of-sale terminal including arecorder for recording on a recording medium the merchandise and lotteryinformation, including an indication of the fractional amount and anindication of the full lottery ticket.
 2. A computer-readable mediumstoring instructions configured to direct a computing device to performa method comprising: receiving a request for a lottery ticket, therequest including a fractional ticket purchase amount that is less thana price of a full lottery ticket, in which the fractional ticketpurchase amount is based on an amount of change due to a customer for apurchase; calculating a fractional amount of the full lottery ticket,the fractional amount being based on the fractional ticket purchaseamount and the price of the full lottery ticket; and storing anindication of the fractional amount and an indication of the fulllottery ticket.
 3. An apparatus comprising: a processor; and a storagedevice in communication with the processor, the storage device storinginstructions adapted to direct the processor to perform a methodcomprising: receiving a request for a lottery ticket, the requestincluding a fractional ticket purchase amount that is less than a priceof a full lottery ticket, in which the fractional ticket purchase amountis based on an amount of change due to a customer for a purchase;calculating a fractional amount of the full lottery ticket, thefractional amount being based on the fractional ticket purchase amountand the price of the full lottery ticket; and storing an indication ofthe fractional amount and an indication of the full lottery ticket.